Bung-stopper.



N0. 640,3!12. Patented Ian. 2, I900.

A. ll. MUELLER &. C. FARINER.

BUNG STUPPER.

(No Model.)

; P I? i l IQR V. QM I'KOFS.

Attorney l aiien'r Darren."

AUGUST Q. hlUELLER AND CONRAD FARNER, OF MILYVAUKEE, VISCONSIN.

BUNG -STOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,302, dated January 2, 1900;

Application filed March 17,1899. Serial No. 709,433. (No model.)

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that we, AUGUST Q. MUELLER and CONRAD Fannnn, citizens of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bung-Stoppers, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in bung-stoppers. Heretofore the practice has been to provide a bung-hole with a metallic bushing, in which is driven a wooden plug, the object of the bushing being to prevent the stave from splitting. It is found, however, that the bushings will themselves frequently split the staves when being screwed into position. Another objection to such forms of stoppers which is obviated by our improvement arises from the fact that it is frequently necessary to destroy the wooden stopper when removing it.

The object of our invention is to provide a form of stopper which cannot be driven out accidentally or by the pressure of gases within the cask, but which can be so contracted in size as to be easilyinserted or removed without injury and. repeatedly used.

In the following description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a cask, showing our stopper applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the interior surface of the cask, also showing our improved stopper as it appears when viewed from the interior. Fig. 3 is a side view of our invention. Fig. 4: is a view of the inner end with the expansion-cap removed. Fig. 5 is a similar view with the cap and bolt-retainer removed. Fig. 6 is a central sectional view drawn on the axis of the bolt. Fig. 7 is a view of the inner face of the expansion-cap. Fig. 8 is a view of the key.

Like parts are identified by the same reference-letters throughout the several views.

The outer end of our stopper consists in a metal disk or end piece A, provided with an opening B in the center for the insertion of the key, as hereinafter explained.

The disk A is of larger diameter than the bung-hole and is provided with a ring or flange D and an inwardly-extending annular flange orshoulder E, which parts are formed or cast integral in a single piece. The arms 0 and ring D are adapted to fit loosely in the bunghole. A locking-bolt F is provided with an annular shoulder G of such size as will enable the bolt to be inserted through the central opening of the flange E, but which will e11- gage the sides of the opening 13 in the disk A and prevent the bolt from passing through the opening. The head of the bolt F projects into the opening 13 and is provided with a key engaging lug f. The bolt F is retained in position by means of a bolt-retaining collar II of less diameter than the shoulder G, which is adapted to he slipped onto the screw-threaded end of the bolt. The collar II is provided with projections Ladaptcd to pass through notches E in the flange E and engage the outer surface thereof. The collar H is also provided with projections J, adapted to engage the inner surface of the flange E, which last-mentioned projections are of such size that they cannot pass through the notches. It is obvious that the collar having been moved toward its position until the projections I pass through the notches E it can then be rotated so as to become engaged by the flange E as the projections I and J engage the opposing surfaces of the flange E.

The bolt having been secured in its position by means of the collar H, an expansion-ring K, of rubber or similar material, is inserted Within the metallic ring D with one edge hearing against the inner face of the flange E, and an expander-cap L, having a beveled face L, is then screwed upon the end of the bolt F, the beveled face being adapt-ed to be brought in contact with the rubber to press the latter outwardly on all sides. The cap L is provided with arms M, which are adapted to pass through the notches E in the flange E and be secured against withdrawal by means of pins N or equivalent means, the function of the arms M being to prevent the cap from rotating and also to prevent the same from becoining disengaged from the bolt F by reason of the engagement of the pins N on the outer surface of the flange E.

The key 0 is formed with a socket P, adapt ed to fit over the head of the bolt, with a notch Q for the reception of the lugf. The key is also provided with a hook R, adapted to engage underneath the lug f when the key is rotated upon the bolt-head. It is obvious that by inserting the key over the bolt-head and then turning the same the bolt will be made to screw inwardly or outwardly in the cap L, the eifect of screwing the bolt inwardly in the cap being to draw the latter into forcible contact with the expansion-ring K, which is thereby forced outwardly radially and pressed firmly against the inner surface .of the stave around the bung-hole. in the position directed the cap L becomes unscrewed from the bolt and is pushed inwardly, thus permitting the expansion-ring to contract to its original position, when by engaging the hook R of the key underneath the lug f of the bolt and pulling outwardly the stopper or entire device is easily withdrawn.

With the construction above described it is obvious that none of the parts can become accidentally separated, the end disk A, arms 0,

and metallic ring D, with the inwardly-ex-- tending shoulder E, being all formed integrally and preferably of cast metal, while the bolt F is held in place by the collar H and is prevented from longitudinal movement by the .ment between the metallic ring D and the cap L.

s the bolt F does not pass through the cap L, but is merely engaged in a screw-threaded socket therein, it is evident that the stopper will when adjusted in position form a very effective seal for the bung-hole and that it cannot be removed except by theme of the key or equivalent means, and that inasmuch as the parts are not separable by accidental means the stopper will always be ready for immediate use, removal, and replacement as often as may be desired. v

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a bung-stopper for barrels, the combination of an exterior end disk of greater diameter than the bung-hole of the barrel, an interior end disk or expander of less diameter than the bung-hole, an intermediate flange or sleeve supported from said exterior end disk, an elastic packing interposed between said intermediate flange or sleeve and said exterior end disk or expander, a, central binding-screw connecting said exterior disk and the thread of said interior disk to act against said exterior disk,and thereby draw said disks toward each other, and against the interior By turning the key elastic packing and the exterior surfaces of the stave, substantially for the purpose set forth.

2. In abung-stopper for barrels, the combination of an exterior end disk of greater diameter than the bung-hole, an interior end disk of less diameter than the bung-hole, hav ing an inward angular bearing-surface, an intermediate flange or sleeve supported from said exterior end disk provided with an inward-projecting flange or hearing formed at an angle to the sides of said sleeve, a central sleeve or bracket provided wit-h radial lugs adapted to bear upon the respective sides of said inward-projecting bearing, a central binding-screw connecting said interior and exterior disks, provided with an exterior bearing-flange, adapted as said screw is turned forward into said interior disk or expander, to bear against said central collar, whereby said disks are drawn toward each other and against the interior elastic packing. and the exterior surfaces of the stave, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a bung-stopper for barrels, the combi nation of an exterior end disk of greater di-' ameter than the bung-hole, an interior end disk of less diameter than the bung-hole hav-- ing an inward angular bearing-surface, an in termediate flange or sleeve supported from said exterior end disk provided with an inward= projecting flange or bearing formed at an angle to the sides of said sleeve, a central sleeve or bracket provided with radial lugs ada ted to bear upon the respective sides of sai in= ward-projecting bearing, a central bindingscrew connecting said interior and exterior disks, provided with an exterior bearingflange, adapted as said screw is turned forward into said interior disk or expander,- to bear against said central collar, whereby said disks are drawn toward each other and against the interior elastic packing and the exterior surfaces of the stave, said interior disk being provided with two or more inward-projecting arms adapted to engage against said inward-projecting flange and prevent said interior disk from turning with said binding-screw, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a bung-stopper for barrels, the combination of an exterior end disk of greater diameter than the bung-hole, an interior end disk of less diameter than the bung-hole, hav- IIO ing an inward angular bearing-surface, an

. intermediate flange or sleeve supported from whereby said disks are drawn toward each I screw is being turned in its bearings prepara other and against theinterior elastic packing tory to being withdrawn from the barrel, all

and the exterior surfaces of the stave, said substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth;

interior disk being provided with two or more In witness whereof we have hereunto set 15 5 inward-projecting arms adapted to engage i our hands this 16th day of December, 1898.

against said inward-projecting flange and prevent said interior disk from turning with said binding-screw, the outward-projecting end of said binding-screw being provided \Vitnesses: 10 with a radial lug adapted for engagement J'AS. B. ERWIN,

with an operating key or wrench as the F. A. OTTO. 

